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Streaming
Server
Software
For Quality Video and Audio
Streaming
server software is used by both those who upload and those that
download video and audio media.
The user downloads a streaming software for servers program
called player and the person uploads the media uses an
application software program.
The streaming web server
software program receives the streaming video file, audio file, or both
type of files simultaneously through a buffering system.
You may have
noticed this buffering when downloading a video or audio file
previously.
Buffering allows enough of the downloading file to be
stored in the computer’s cache before it begins to play. This is
important to avoid jumpy or choppy videos and music.
There
are two prominent steaming server software applications available
today; however there are others and more are on the horizon. The two
popular
software programs are:
- QuickTime – both server software and plugin
software is free
- RealTime – both server software and plugin
software is free
QuickTime
streaming server software is used for Mac computers; however there are
versions for Windows based computers.
The attributes
of this
software
include:
- Play MOV,
MPEG4, and 3 GPP files
- Video on Demand when combined with Broadcast
Live Video
- View live events; such as concerts, sports,
news, etc.
- Real time streaming that leaves no file to be
copied by viewer,
important for copyright protection
- View High Definition videos using H.264
- Ability to stream to mobile users
RealTime
server software has all the capabilities of QuickTime server software.
It also has the ability to adjust for various streaming situations.
Several users are downloading multiple streaming rates the same time
over the same broadband cable.
For example the following are
all on
accessing the server at the same time:
- 56k Modem: 34 kbps streaming rate
- DSL/Cable: 225 kbps streaming rate
- DSL Cable: 450 kbps streaming rate
RealTime
server software automatically detects the need to switch back and forth
between lower or higher bandwidths as user traffic dictates.
This helps
to prevent slow downloads and downloads that freeze or appear to stall.
RealTime
streaming server software has additional software that supports the
application. These are called plugins that uncompress files for viewing
or listening and include:
- Real Text for reading streaming text messages
- Real Audio for playing streaming audio files
- Real Video for viewing streaming video files
- Real Pix for viewing slide shows
- Flash 2, 3, and 4 for viewing videos
- Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language
(SMIL) presentations
There
are other streaming media server software applications on the market
today.
One is the new NetShow that was developed by Microsoft to challenge the
dominance of RealTime. NetShow has is rapidly gaining on RealTime and
QuickTime and offers the same attributes of these two.
NetShow
streaming server software is also compatible with another new comer on
the market and that is Video Digital Out (VDO).
VDO has the same
capabilities as RealTime and NetShow; however their server software is
not free. Their plugin software is free.
As with
all software applications, you will need to select the best streaming
server software that is compatible with your intended use.
For
additional streaming
server concepts such as the streaming server
software
section here, please check out the
related
topics: streaming
audio servers, streaming video server,
video web
server, windows
media server and streaming server hosting.
And for
more streaming media info, don't
forget to visit the streaming
media hosting, broadband
tv, online
video sharing, video
teleconference, video
streaming information and video email sections.
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